A trio of strong pitching performances overcame tepid hitting as the San Francisco Giants took two out of three games at home over the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. 

In the opener, Jonathan Sanchez threw 6 2/3 shutout innings, surrendering two hits as the Giants stopped a six game skid with a 2-0 victory. 

In the middle game, Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum corrected his mechanics and struck out 13 over 8 shutout innings, surrendering a mere five hits and walking none.  Unfortunately, counterpart Doug Davis was equally as stingy, scattering 8 hits over 8 shutout innings, as the floor fell through for the combination of Jeremy Affeldt and Brian Wilson in the ninth, each giving up a run, as Arizona prevailed 2-0. 

In the rubber match, Randy Johnson carried a no-hitter into the seventh, striking out 7.  The complete gem was foiled by a leadoff double by Augie Ojeda in that frame.  However, Johnson worked around the jam and teamed with Bob Howry and Brian Wilson to complete the one-hit, 2-0 victory. 

The good news from the series:  1)  the starting pitching was awesome.  21 2/3 shutout innings is nothing to sneeze at.  This is what was expected of the staff this year.  Brian Wilson had two saves in the series.  Excellent.  2) Pablo Sandoval seems to be snapping out of his slump.  He went 3-4 in the final game with a triple.  Maybe that can end up being contagious. 

The bad news from the series:  1)  the lineup was atrocious.  For the series, they scored a whopping 4 runs.  If the starting pitching wasn’t insanely awesome, we’re looking at a nine game skid.  Travis Ishikawa had an RBI via sacrifice fly on Sunday.  That was nice.  However, he’s been on a horrible stretch for the last nine games.  I love him as a starter, but he needs to start taking first pitches.  They’re tossing him breaking balls at the ankles and he ends up down 0-1 right off the bat (this comes from scouting reports).  If he took the first pitch on five straight at bats, he’d notice improved results at the plate.  Almost guaranteed.  2)  Brian Wilson gave more evidence that that, if it’s not a save situation, he probably shouldn’t be out there.   He got beat up in those situations last season and did on Saturday.  However, a job of a closer is to strand inherited runners.  Perhaps he just needs a little more work in non-save situations.   Dunno.

All in all, good results this weekend.  Just would like to see the bats come alive.  The flip-flopping of Emmanuel Burriss and Edgar Renteria in the lineup is a great idea.  I think that Ishikawa should be dropped in the lineup.  Leave him at seven until he learns how to hit again.  Aaron Rowand’s earned moving up to six.  I didn’t like seeing Fred Lewis lead off on Sunday.  Hopefully this is only a one game thing.  Sandoval flashed some nice leather this weekend.  He’s picking up the position quite well.

Giants off on Monday.  Resume play on Tuesday as they send sizzling Matt Cain against Jake Peavey and the likewise hot San Diego Padres.  Let’s remember to bring some bats this time around, guys.  See you there.

Chris Young limited the Giants to four hits over seven innings, Chase Headley hit a two run homerun, and Nick Hundley had four hits as the San Diego Padres completed the three game weekend sweep with a 6-1 victory on Sunday.  Defending Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum picked up his first loss of the year, giving up 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings in his second straight rough outing.    

In the opener, the Padres battered Barry Zito for seven hits and four runs in four innings, riding a Sean Hairston homerun and a three run first inning to a 7-3 victory. 

In the middle game, Jonathan Sanchez dueled expertly with Jake Peavy for four innings until inexplicably losing his control and giving up two home runs to journeyman Henry Blanco, eventually losing 6-3.  

All in all, this was a depressing series.  First, the offense didn’t seem to have bothered showing up.  Travis Ishikawa and Pablo Sandoval were horrible overall.  The starting staff was equally bad, with all three starters looking incredibly outclassed.  The first time around the rotation, with the exception of Matt Cain’s seven inning performance, was frown inducing.  Fred Lewis and Randy Winn were bright spots, offensively.  However, two bats doesn’t an offensive explosion make.  Three games, seven runs scored.  Those are  the numbers that count here.  Lincecum’s second outing was better than his first, but that’s not saying much. 

The Giants owned the Padres last year, both at home and on the road.  If this is what we have to look forward to this season, my optimism might have been wrongly founded.  True, it’s only three games in April.  However, up next is the buzzsaw known as the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Hopefully the bats and the combination of Randy Johnson and Matt Cain will show up en force.  If not, 2-7 is an awfully lonely place. 

The San Francisco Giants, led by a strong outing by starter Matt Cain, took the rubber match of their opening series with the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-1.  

Cain went seven innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out five and only walking two.  He was backed by a 3-3 performance by Fred Lewis and four RBI from catcher Benjie Molina.  Aaron Rowand continued his torid start with a pair of hits.   The only down note on the day was rookie reliever Joseph Martinez being struck in the head with a line drive off the bat of Brewer centerfielder Mike Cameron. 

In the first game, the Giants survived a shaky start by Tim Lincecum by putting up a ten spot, highlighted by three home runs by Molina, Rowand, and Randy Winn and an energizing, bases clearing triple by rookie Travis Ishikawa.  Despite Lincecum, the defending Cy Young winner, only lasting three innings, the Giants prevailed 10-6. 

In game two, newcomer Randy Johnson dominated, but fell victim to two untimely homeruns, the second a three run variety off the bat of Brewer counterpart Yovani Gallardo, that gave Milwaukee a lead that they never relinqueshed in beating the Orange and Black, 4-2.  Johnson looked great in five innings, only giving up four hits while striking out seven.  However, Gallardo looked better, pitching into the seventh inning, allowing only two runs. 

Thoughts from the series:  The only thing that brings any concern to me is Lincecum getting hit around a little.  However, he admitted that he didn’t have great stuff.  He should be back to throwing laser guided BB’s on his next go around the rotation.  No cause for concern there yet.  It was nice to see the offense show up as they did in games one and three.  As yet, the kids are doing great.  They seem to be answering their critics rather loudly.  Very nice.  Keep it up.  Also, it was nice to see Rowand hitting well.  He started like this last season and tailed off.  Here’s to him doing this for a complete season. 

Overall, this was a great series to kick off 2009 for the Giants.  They will next host the San Diego Padres on Friday night, with Barry Zito starting against Shawn Hill.  First pitch at 9:05, central. 

The San Francisco Giants made their final roster moves, with some surprises, heading in to Tuesday’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

In trimming back to the final 25, the team decided to go with a 12 man pitching staff, designating Luis Perdomo for assignment while purchasing the contract of Brandon Medders from AAA Fresno.  As Perdomo is a Rule 5 pickup, they will have to offer him back to the St. Louis Cardinals since he’s not remaining on the 25 man roster.  More on that as it develops. 

In other moves, the Giants optioned catcher Steve Holm to Fresno, leaving them with just one full time catcher in Benjie Molina.  Third baseman Pablo Sandoval will moonlight as a backup backstop until later in the season (probably right after the first month, which is laden with off days, and at which time the Giants will have a little better idea of the type of team that they are fielding), when Holm is expected to be recalled.  Relief pitcher Justin Miller was reassigned to minor league camp.  Expect him back some time this season.  Also, the contracts of Juan Uribe and Rich Aurilia were purchased from Fresno.  Both veterans will start the season on the Giants roster.  Finally, pitcher Noah Lowry and reliever Sergio Romo will both open the season on the 15 day disabled list. 

The 2009 San Francisco Giants opening day roster is as follows:

Starting Rotation: Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Johnson, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito.

Bullpen: Alex Hinshaw, Bob Howry,  Joseph Martinez, Brandon Medders,  Merkin Valdez, Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt,

Starters:

C: Benjie Molina.

1B:  Travis Ishikawa

2B:  Emmanuel Burriss

SS:  Edgar Renteria

3B:  Pablo Sandoval

RF:  Randy Winn

CF:  Aaron Rowand

LF:  Fred Lewis

Bench: Rich Aurilia (IF), Juan Uribe (IF), Eugenio Velez (UT), Nate Schierholtz (OF), Andres Torres (OF)

Without a doubt, the most exciting jewel in the crown of the 2009 San Francisco Giants has to be their starting five (but then, being a huge pitching guy, I’ve been saying that since the days of Rueter and Estes).  However, I think that this year, I might be on to something.  Take a look at the rotation and tell me I’m wrong. 

First things first, number one is Mr. Cy Young himself, The Freak, Tim Lincecum.  What can be said?  What needs to be said?  He’s awesome.  If he can be 80% as good (and by saying that, don’t take at all that I feel he’s in decline) as he was last year, he’d be the #1 for any staff in baseball.  He’s young and had an awesome spring training.  Great things can be expected when he gets the ball.

Number two will be Matt Cain.  I feel that he finally has the offense to back up his wonderful pitching.  I’m going to call my shot and say that if the Cy Young stays with the team this season that he’s going to be the guy to get it.  I think he’s that good.  A penchant for giving up gopher balls and an inefficienct pitch counts are the only things keeping Cain from the heights that Lincecum achieved last year.   Judging from his spring, I think that he’s figured out the pitch counts problem.  We’ll see how it goes with the home runs.  Again, I say that ’09 will be this guy’s year to shine. 

In the number three spot is new free agent acquisition Randy Johnson.  This brilliant pick up should only serve to better impact the staff both directly and indirectly.  With his spring training, Johnson was practically lights out.  We know what we’re getting with this one.  This is Johnson of 2009, not 1999 (nor the not quite Cy Young caliber 1989 model, thankfully).  That means, he’s older and has lost a few digits on the fastball.  However, he’s still nasty and in this, his swan song, no doubt wants to go out with a bang.  Provided his injuries stay away, look for him to be an exceptional #3.  Also look for him to lift younger pitchers such as Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain in the role of mentor.  The staff will only be better with Johnson on the team.

For the number four, we have our $16 million dollar man, Barry Zito.  Remember when this was a big offseason pickup?  Okay, I’ll go easy on the guy.  He no longer generates the same excitement that he did in the last two seasons (shocked?).  However, he’s pitched well at times in the spring and perhaps he’s turning the corner and finding a comfort zone with the team.  I like to take heart in that, though he started off 0-8 last season, he finished 10-17.  Therefore, after that abysmal beginning, he was 10-9 the rest of the way.  Not bad for a #4.  But then, I digress.

Bringing up the rear of the rotation will be southpaw Jonathan Sanchez.  He electrified and excited at times last season but ran out of gas some time in July (not to mention he got a stint on the DL).  That’s a stamina thing.  This year, he should be ready to pitch a full season.  What he’s shown at times has been incredible.  If he lives up to expectations, this should prove to be a good ‘no move’ by the team when they decided not to trade him in the offseason. 

I was originally hoping that Noah Lowry would assume the number five position this season but, alas, he was again beset by injuries and didn’t throw in spring training.   I like this guy and would very much like to see him back with the team.  However, nothing should be counted on at this time.  He has an option left and perhaps could work out the situation in Fresno.  Lest we forget the last time that a pitcher was injured this much was Rob Nen.  He never pitched again and the Giants finally a closer last season.  We don’t need the equivalent of Matt Herges and Tim Worrell in the rotation as we wait for Lowry to get well.  If and when he comes back, perhaps the role of long reliever might suit him. 

Should any of the starting five have to spend a stint on the shelf, there are some young guns who can step up and be inserted (aka, this year’s Matt Palmer).  Kevin Pucetas tops this list, though he wasn’t exactly sharp in spring training.  Joseph Martinez is another name that we might get to know (though I think he would be better suited in the bullpen).  Another is Jesse English (he did have a solid 2008).   Many are clamoring for Henry Sosa to get a look but last year wasn’t great for him and he definitely needs more time in the little leagues.

The names you won’t (and shouldn’t) be seeing in the rotation (even as fill-ins) this season are either ‘no ways’ or ‘not yets’.  Leading the former category is Ramon Ortiz (why was he signed and can we get rid of him yet?).  Second is Pat Misch.  Misch is nice but proved himself unready to start at the major league level last season.  His spring wasn’t mind blowing, either.  The ’not yets’ are two young studs who shall get all the time they need to develop.  If you don’t know their names (and how can you not?), they are Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson.  Alderson got boxed around a little in the spring training and doesn’t need that same thing happening when it counts (at least not at this time).  With Bumgarner, perhaps his performance in the spring will get the front office salivating to bring him up.  They should control this urge and, unless he’s absolutely putting up numbers such as Lincecum did in the minors in 2007 (look them up….they were quite impressive), he should spend the year learning his craft and looking forward to 2010.   

The San Francisco front office finally heard my anguished screams this offseason.  While the more vocal wing of the Giants fan base shouted for radical moves (signing Sabathia, Man-Ram, Burrell, and/or Dunn.  Cain for Fielder, Cain for Hardy, Cain for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the nation of Lithuania, and a dozen Domino’s death disks), Sabean and company at long last decided to have a little faith in the young players by making minimal changes via free-agency. 

The signing of future hall of Randy Johnson stands head and shoulders above the rest of the transactions (no pun intended….really).  The veteran replaces the underachieving 2008 back end of the rotation (Correia, Misch, and Hennessey), bringing an elder statesman who can still hurl the ball 90+ miles per hour.  That can’t hurt.

In the ‘perhaps you overspent, but we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt’ department lies the 2 year $18 million contract tossed to Edgar Renteria.  While I was against this at first, it has actually grown on me.  Barring a complete and unforseeable falling apart, it will be an immense offensive upgrade over either Bocock or Vizquel at the position.  And, though I love Emmanuel Burriss, perhaps it’s better for him to be over at second base, thrashing it out with Frandsen and Velez for playing time. 

Another place where the Giants upgraded wisely and precisely is the bullpen.  The additions of Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry, coupled with minor league deals tendered to both Ramon Ortiz and Justin Miller, should serve to strengthen the bullpen over the malaise found at times in 2008.  The key is, if you can’t get the lead to Brian Wilson, he can’t drop the hammer.  That should be better now.

And that leads us to another strong point in this offseason.  Rather than breaking the bank on a high money free agent, the team snapped up a string of seasoned veterans at bargain basement rates.  ‘Kinda’ sluggers Josh Phelps and Juan Uribe will come to spring training, minor league deals in hand, and should be ready to step in should a youngster falter.  Ditto Rich Aurilia, leading the ‘re-signed’ category of this year’s free agents.  

The San Francisco Giants signed “The Big Unit” Randy Johnson on Friday evening to a one year deal. The contract will pay Johnson $8 million. The contract also includes performance bonuses that could reach $2.5MM and award bonuses that could reach another $2.5MM.

It will be interesting to see how Johnson holds up through the year. He is in his forties but can still throw the ball pretty hard. I’m not sure how well he is throwing the slider these days but anything would be an improvement for the Giants rotation in my opinion.

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